Beloved in Christ,
"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:27).
The high cost of discipleship. Do we truly understand what we are getting into when we choose to follow Jesus? Following Jesus will cost us everything that we own. Is there any demand of Jesus that we will say no to? If there is, then we are not yet ready to carry our cross and follow Jesus. It means we have not contemplated and counted the cost of followership. Following Christ sincerely demands prioritizing him above everything, including people and things that are most dear to us.
To be a true disciple of Jesus is to give absolute, infinite, unlimited, unflinching loyalty to Him. There is no room for compromise here; Jesus demands the totality of our commitment to him and over others. We must love him above all persons or things. We must love him alone with all of ourselves: with all our heart, mind, soul, and body. Nothing, not even dearest and nearest family members or things, must compete with our total surrender to the demands of Jesus. Following Jesus is either everything or nothing; He does not accept choosing between them.
It is essential to take time out to consider the cost and renew our commitment to Jesus if we wish to continue the process of discipleship. Ask questions and ponder over statements of faith. Am I willing to make Jesus the absolute leader of my soul? When my family and friends that I love stand in the way of my total surrender in conscience and action to the demands of Jesus, would I idolize them and say no to Jesus? What in the world would make me say "no" to Jesus? These are questions we should engage in recollection and retreat.
As I prepare to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of my priestly ordination during our parish pilgrimage to Italy, which begins next Sunday, I intend to engage with these and similar questions. Are there things or people I have loved or preferred over Jesus? These are questions that need to be answered during spiritual retreats (which I don't get to do as often as necessary because of pastoral needs). I encourage you to take time out to be alone to address these questions: Do I love Jesus above my family, friends, and things, or am I addicted and possessed by them? I conclude with words borrowed from Keith Nester: "What would make you say 'No' to Jesus? This could hurt." With Mary, whose nativity and holy name we honor this week, let us dare to say and mean "God, thy will be done."
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:27).
The high cost of discipleship. Do we truly understand what we are getting into when we choose to follow Jesus? Following Jesus will cost us everything that we own. Is there any demand of Jesus that we will say no to? If there is, then we are not yet ready to carry our cross and follow Jesus. It means we have not contemplated and counted the cost of followership. Following Christ sincerely demands prioritizing him above everything, including people and things that are most dear to us.
To be a true disciple of Jesus is to give absolute, infinite, unlimited, unflinching loyalty to Him. There is no room for compromise here; Jesus demands the totality of our commitment to him and over others. We must love him above all persons or things. We must love him alone with all of ourselves: with all our heart, mind, soul, and body. Nothing, not even dearest and nearest family members or things, must compete with our total surrender to the demands of Jesus. Following Jesus is either everything or nothing; He does not accept choosing between them.
It is essential to take time out to consider the cost and renew our commitment to Jesus if we wish to continue the process of discipleship. Ask questions and ponder over statements of faith. Am I willing to make Jesus the absolute leader of my soul? When my family and friends that I love stand in the way of my total surrender in conscience and action to the demands of Jesus, would I idolize them and say no to Jesus? What in the world would make me say "no" to Jesus? These are questions we should engage in recollection and retreat.
As I prepare to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of my priestly ordination during our parish pilgrimage to Italy, which begins next Sunday, I intend to engage with these and similar questions. Are there things or people I have loved or preferred over Jesus? These are questions that need to be answered during spiritual retreats (which I don't get to do as often as necessary because of pastoral needs). I encourage you to take time out to be alone to address these questions: Do I love Jesus above my family, friends, and things, or am I addicted and possessed by them? I conclude with words borrowed from Keith Nester: "What would make you say 'No' to Jesus? This could hurt." With Mary, whose nativity and holy name we honor this week, let us dare to say and mean "God, thy will be done."
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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